[Backpost - after Chinks in the Armor]

Posted on 20 Jan 2017 @ 5:16am by Commander Terry Walsh & Lieutenant JG Samantha Lopez

818 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Endgame
Location: Squadron Commander's Office
Timeline: MD 8 || 1400 hours

Terry had just finished his meeting with Lieutenant Cooper and arrived back at his office. There was a lot to do to get everything ready. But he also had to touch base with Lieutenant Lopez. The squadron commander leaned back in his chair and tapped his commbadge, "Commander Walsh to Lieutenant Lopez, please report to my office. Walsh out." Terry tapped his badge again, closing the channel.

Sam had just finished talking to one of the flight deck crew members when she got the call from Walsh. She wasn't supposed to be having a meeting with the boss, so hoped she wasn't in trouble. She took the short walk across the flight deck, stopping at his door, making herself look presentable, and pushed the doors buzzer, waiting for an answer.

"It's open," he called out. Terry had never been one for the standard Starfleet 'Enter' or 'Come.' It felt too...android-like.

Sam walked in and over to the desk where Terry sat. "Lieutenant Lopez, reporting as requested, Commander." She said, taking an easy stance.

Terry watched as the young woman entered and stood at ease. She certainly comfortable, which was okay for now. "Have a seat Lieutenant. Relax a bit. We're just here to discuss a few things. But first, since you just came in from the Deck, how does things look out there?"

"Things are getting there. All the birds are in condition to fly, stocked up and ready to go. The actual flight deck is still damaged in places, but nothing that they can't handle i'm sure." Sam replied, taking the seat opposite Terry.

"That's good," replied Terry. "It looks like we could possibly have our work cut out for us. Are you ready to hop back in the seat as Charlie Flight Lead?"

Sam nodded. "Ready, and willing boss. What's the plan?" She asked, intrigued.

"Right now, the Black Hawk is en route to a nebula for computer repairs," he said. "We are to continue with our training and preparations until we reach the nebula. Then we'll be providing support to the ship, perimeter patrols and close protection."

"So the usual then." Sam said, nodding.

Terry cocked his head to the side as he looked at his Charlie Flight Leader. "Does that bother you, Lieutenant? 'The usual' being what you're assigned to do? Because if you're getting bored out here, I can find something for you to do."

"Not bored, just stating a fact is all." She said, smiling.

"Okay," he said, wondering. "Outside of work, are you settling in okay?"

"Yeah, I've settled in well, started talking to a few of the others, they seem ok, my wing mans a good laugh." She said smiling widely.

"That's good to hear," Terry said. He tried to think of who her wingman was. "Your wingman...that's...Sito isn't it? Got a sense of humor, huh."

"Yeah, Sito, definitely got a sense of humor...you and him would probably get on well." She said, smiling, then losing the smile, realizing what she'd just said.

Terry smirked at the Lieutenant and picked up a PADD. "Well with that out of the way, I don't believe we've gone over you're file," he said, pulling up her record. "Especially since you were last cleared by Medical. So, tell me about your last assignment."

"My last assignment before here was at the Academy. They needed someone to teach the new recruits to fly, so I took the job. I decided to come here because while it was good to teach, nothing beats actually being in the seat of one of the birds in a dogfight!" She said, smirking.

Terry sat back and nodded. "This is true, nothing can beat it. But I wouldn't write off teaching entirely. It allows good pilots to pass on what they've learned to the next generation. I've had an opportunity to teach fighter flight since coming aboard. Granted there was already a background of flight basics, but as you know, a Valkyrie fighter is much more sensitive on the controls. Who knows, Lieutenant, you might learn some new things out here in the next several years that Starfleet may want the students at the Academy to know."

"Maybe after a few years, but I think I've got a few more years of flying in me yet! If not then more." She said, nodding at his comments.

Terry listened as the Lieutenant continued talking. He was glad that he was able to finally have some time for a face-to-face with her. What they could be getting into, no one knew. But he wanted his Flight Leaders to be on their game. And the only way make sure everything was controlled and coordinated was to ensure he had leaders in place that could direct the plans that had been organized and laid out. At least to the best of their abilities in a combat situation.

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